Produce box lidder



April 24, 1951 L. H. PLATT ETAL PRODUCE BOX LIDDER 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed April 9 1114MB P1477' lrlanmlla JP En II. 131,077

JN V EN TORS ArroP/yfy' April 24, 1951 L. H. PLATT ETAL 2,550,292

` PRODUCE Box LIDDER Filed April 9, 1948 l5 Sheets-Sheet 4 56% f ai@ Ilan/0. H477' lrcalvbjilazk JH/vz-IHH rr INVENToRs #Bmw .4Q Tw m w 111m r a inw. f 42, m www w H11 m 5 27% HI n I y 9 MM B Mm f ,2 mm w hrw Pw April 24, 1951 Flled Aprll 9, 1948 Patented Apr. 24, 19,51

PRODUCE BOX LIDDER Leland H. Platt, Leland H. Platt, Jr., and John Dee Platt, Los Angeles, Calif.

Application April 9, 1948, Serial No. 19,908

This invention has to do with box lidding or closing machines, particularly of a type especially adapted to the lidding of wire bound boxes characterized by their flexibility under pressure, and structurally, by the wire hinged attachment of the lid or cover to the box proper, the closed lid being secured to the box by interlocking wire loops. More specifically, the invention is directed to improvements in the mechanisms constituting the subject matter of our copending application Serial No. 752,854, filed June 5, 1947, on Wire Bound Box Lidder, and issued August 5, 1950, to Patent No. 2,517,710.

The general mode of operation of the present type of machine involves applying the hinged lid to an overlled or crown packed box by deforming the lid and bringing its outer free edge adjacent the corresponding box edge to secure the interlocking wire loops. Proper application of the lid to the box and interlocking of the fastener loops requires exact alinernent of the cover with the box, and involves problems presented because of the tendency of the box to deform, and the lid to become displaced, when subjected to the pressures required to apply the lid over the crownpacked produce.

Such problems are met in accordance with the disclosure in our prior application referred to above by laterally supporting the box land lid during the lid applying operations, in a manner preventing deformation or bulging of the lid, and its displacement or misalinement, at least to degrees assuring their proper interfit as the lid isv brought to closed position. Specically, we employ side and end pressure members iconning the box against bulging, and confine and guide the lid inaccurately alined relation with the top of the box.

, One of our present major objects is to increase the throughput potential of the machine by providing for automatic displacement of the lidded box in an ejecting direction. Generally speaking, this object is accomplished by incorporation in the machine of a powered box ejector operating in timed relationvwith the end box pressure members, or that member in the box ejection path, so that upon application of the lid to the box, such member is withdrawn from its path, freeing the box for movement by the ejector.

A further object is to provide a mechanism for automatically interlocking the lid and box carried wire loops when the lid is brought down to closed position. As will appear, Ythis function is performed by a powered mechanism, carried preferably by the cover press head, and operating 13 Claims. (Cl. V10G- 57) automatically to engage and deform into interlocking relation the intertted loops.

The invention has various additional features and objects, all of which, together with those referred to in the foregoing, will be understood to best advantage from the description given below of a typical and illustrative embodiment. It is to be understood that in its broad aspects, the invention contemplates the adaptation of the essential claimed features to any suitable lid press mechanism operable as a crown packed press type machine and to which such features are applicable. Reference is had throughout the description to the accompanying drawings, in which:

, Fig. 1 is a View showing the machine in side elevation;

Fig. 2 is a front elevation of Fig. 1;

Figs. 3 and 4 are fragmentary views illustrating sequential positions of the side and end pressure plates together with a lid swinging arm;

Fig. 5 is a fragmentary View illustrating the pressure plate positions and wire loop interlocking mechanisms when the pressure head has reached cover applying position;

Fig. 6 shows the Working advancement of the interlocking device beyond the position of Fig. 5;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary view showing the wire bound box cover and side loop relation in the closed position ofthe cover;

Figs. 8 and 9 are enlarged fragmentary Views showing certain positions of the loop interlocking end and pressure plate actuating arms and their associated cams.

Fig. 10 is a view showing in end elevation a variational form of `automatic loop interlocking mechanism;

Fig. 11 is a fragmentary front elevation of Fig. 10; and

Fig. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary view of certain parts of Fig. 10 in changed position.

Referring rst to Figs. 1 and 2, the machine has a frame structure comprising a pairof vertical guide members I0 in the form of outwardly flanged channels interconnected at their upper ends by cross member II; also a base structure I2 carrying the box support framework I3 and a rear frame structure I4 supporting the later described driving mechanisms. Members I 0 serve to carry and guide'the vertical reciprocations of a cover press head structure, generally indicated at I5, comprising a pair of arms IB interconnected by cross member I1 at the rear of the guides I0, and carried by a pair of slides each comprising a pair of blocks I8 :and I9 interconnected by a bar 20 slidable vertically in the supports. Bars '20 are by a motor 23, the: drive4 of which-'is transmitted through clutch 24 and gear reduction unit 25 to a shaft 26, the latter carrying a sprocket 21 driving by way of chain 28 a sprocket 29 keyed toa countershaft 36. The relationship between the sizes of sprockets 2'| and 29 is su'ch'tliatfshaft tt' will be driven at a speed exactly equal t'o half the speed of shaft 26. Therefore as: shaft Ell-'makes two complete revolutions, countershaft 3S travels through exactly one revolution. The clutch 2'4'is manually controlled in any suitable manner, as

by a-f'oot pedal13| carried by arm 32 on levery 33' pivoted intermediate its endetel ther frame at 3ft and carrying a secondarm 35=soconnected to the clutch as# to` engage the latter upon depression of the foot pedal.

' Forwardly of' theguide members theframel structure accommodates a box support 361- which may includea series of rollers 3'!` onto which the box 36v is movable horizontally' from the right as viewed in Fig. 2 tol a' position of vertical alinement with thehead 22, and from whi'cnthe'lidded box's ejected toward'the left, as will later appear. Thev drawings illustrate the known type of' wire bound boX tothe body 38' of which' is attached a cover 3'9 by wire hinges'Mll, the forward side of the box, see Fig. 7, having upwardly projecting wirev loops 46 adapted tobe receivedwithin correspondingly spaced wire loops 4| projecting from the` cover 3'9so that the loops may' be` deformed and interlocked' to secure the closed cover to the box, When' the box is received. on the' support 3'6, theY cover' 39 is swung b'ack between stationary guide arms 4'2' carried' by members ill to accu.- rately position the cover, and` therefore the box assembly,Y in centered; relation to the head and. the, Working parts carried. thereby.

The upper extent. of. the rear side of the box is engageable against a stationary guideand pressure plate 1713f having angular extremities "it and carried by the vertical columns` I-. The upper ex-v tentof the forwardside. of the boxisj engageablev by a movable pressure plate 45 carried by a pair of` arms/46.,.seeFig. 2, mounted for.- swingingmevement with shaft'l journalled inbearings=46- The lower ends of arms 46 are interconnectedby rod; 49 pivotall-yattached; at Eid-to. an actuating mechanism comprising link 5|, see Figs. 3 and 4;, pivotedv atY 52 to a lever 53 swinging, about; the. stationary pivot, 5.4 andi urged in countercloc'kwise direction by the connected coil spring. 5M'. attached tothe frame. structure |14. The pressure' plate 45-is actuated"` through the described linkage by a cam 55'. rotatable on the shaft 3Uibut carried' therewith. by engagement of theV shaft-carried arm` 56 with lug 51 on the cam. Upon engage',-

ment'of the cam with.' lever 53, the pressu-re plate 45V is swung inwardly against the forward? side of` the box throughout its. length, as shown in the' Fig. 4' position.

. A pair of pressurevplates 51:, engageable against the ends of' the boxes, are carried' by arms` 53 mounted on the frame structure |'4 for both vertical and` horizontal swinging movement bytheuniversal joints 5F.. Before opera-tion of themachine the end pressure plates 51 assume the positions illustrated in Fig. 3, from which, however, they are displaceable upwardly and in wardly against the box ends to the position of Fig. 4. Arms 58 are actuated to so displace the pressure plates by a pair cf cams 66 which, like cams 55, are rotatable on the shaft 3B but are carried therewith in its actuating travel by engagement of the shaftarms 6| withlugs 52 on the cams. Upon rotation-'from the Fig. 3 position to that of Fig. 4, the cams 69 engage arms 58 and swing them upwardly against and along a pair of stationaryY frame-supported guides or cams 6d, see Fig. 2, which causes the pressure plates 5l to be displaced' inwardly and in tight pressuial engagement with the ends of the box 3B.

The cover-361s swung forwardly from its initial upright position between the guides t2, by a pair'of' arms 65 which, together with the terminal plates 65a overliethe outer or top surface o-i the cover and are` carried" byl shaft 66 rotatable inthe frame-supportedlbearings 5l'. Arms 55' are actuated through rotationof the shaft 65- by chai-n- 6B`,see Figs. 3. and' 4, applied tothe shaft sprocket 69; Onerend of the chain is connected through spring '|61- with the frame at 'H1 Theopposite end of the chain is connected at 'l2 with' lever T3 pivoted' to thel frameat d'and engageable with-a cam- 'I5' carried by and rotatable with the` sha-ft. 35.

Thev lidded box is ejected from thesupport 36 by av swinging a-rm 176 eng-ageable against the end of the box and carried by a shaft ll, see Fig. 2. Thelatter` carries a sprocket T6 to which isl applied achain 19 extending about idler sprocket on slraftI 8|-, downwardly to connectat 82 withrod' 8311 Referring to Fig. 8', rod 8311s pivotedv at 8`4toa th-row-` arm 85' pivoted at 861;@ the frame structureI` I4 and engageable by cam 87| on shaft 36- acting to depress the arm to its dotted line position at a-, and` in so doing, to swing arm 16 to the left and thus displace thelidd'ed box 36 in'- a corresponding or ejecting direction. Arm '|6v is displaced against resistance of spring 88 acting toy return the arm to its Fig. 2 position after ejectio'nof' the box.

The head1 assembly |15 vertical-ly reciprocated bya connection;` with the shaft 26' comprising a crank armi S0 onY the shaft pivotall'y attached at 9|V toI rodl 92,. the upper; end of which is pivoted at 93 to the cross member interconnecting the arma |61 Thus` the head assembly |T5 travels one. down. and` upcycle' foreach rotation of theshaft 26.

box wire loopt interlocking mechanism generally indicated at; 94 is: carried by the head assembly |.5 for: verticali travely therewith and actuation to interlock the loops 46 and 41| when the head is finally brought down tocover ap# plying position.

Referring to- Fig.. 2, the mechanism '9d' comprises a bar 535iV extending along and above the forwardA edge portion of plate 2'2` and carried by a pairofvv arms-96 having stub shafts 95| rotatable in the head-carried bearings 98. The shaft 9.1 at' the left has an arm 66 pivotally connectedf by wayoflink' F66 with lever ISH pivoted at |02 intermediate its ends onthe adjacent arm |61 Bar 95 car-'riesl a series of cylindrical` projections |033 spaced in accordance with the spacing of the box loops lllA and 4|. Bar 95'r also carries' al handle $04: mounted; on brackets |05 and by-A means of which; if desired, the bar may be manually swung down-wardlyv to en- 75: gage proiections- |563 against the' interiltted box loops, the outer edge portion of cover plate 22 being notched at |96 to pass the projections as they are swung downwardly. The bar 95 is mechanically and automatically operable to interlock the box loops, by the engagement of an arm |92 rotated by and with the shaft 30 into engagement with the angular end face |98 of lever iill at the later described point in the machine cycle. At this point it may be observed that upon swinging from the Fig. 5 position to that of Fig. 6, arm |01 swings a lever in a direction producing outward and downward swinging of bar 95 and its projections |93, causing the latter to engage and bend the loops 40, see Fig. 7, outwardly and downwardly into interlocked engagement with the cover loops 4|.

In considering the operation of the machine, assume its parts to be positionedasin Figs. 1, 2 and 3, with the box 38 and its lid 39 placed as illustrated.- As previously indicated, the box is to be overlled or crown packed with produce so that as applied to the box, its lid will be upwardly bulged to accommodate the crown pack. When the operator steps on the foot pedal 3|, clutch 24 is engaged to simultaneously start the rotation of shafts '26 and 35. Connecting rod 92 starts the head assembly i5 on its downward travel. At the start of the head travel, cam 55 engages lever 53 to swing the forward pressureplate 45 against and in tight pressural engagement with the box side to hold it against subsequent bulging as pressure is applied to the pack. Simultaneously, cams 39 throw the pressure plates 5l upwardly and inwardly against the ends of the box to thereafter resist bulging and maintain the end frame pieces 38| in position such that when the lid is closed down upon the box the lid end cleats 39| will be brought down at the outside of pieces 38|. By virtue of the pressure exerted by plate 45, the rear side of the box is prevented from bulging by reason of its engagement against1 the stationary plate 43. The latter serves the further function of supporting the rear edge of the cover 39 as the latter subsequently is forced down over the crown pack, thus assuring proper nal alinement of the cover with the box in a transverse direction.

By reason of the speed relation between Yshafts 26 and 35, the cover assembly l5 travels a full down stroke, bringing plate 22 against the produce crown pack to compress it into the box, before the cover is displaced from its initial position. Then as the head is elevated on its return stroke above the cover, cam 'i5 engages and throws arm 'I3 downwardly to cause the arms 55 to swing the cover from the Fig. 3 to Fig. 4 position inwardly beneath the head plate 22. Then as the head is brought down a second time, plate 22 engages the cover 39 to press it down over the crown pack and to the box engaging position of Fig. 5. As this position is reached, and after the box ends are secured between the lid cleats 39|, cams 60 travel just beyond the position of Fig. 9 whereupon the weight of arms 58 causes the cams to rotate about shaft 39 and drop the end pressure plates 5l to the Fig. 5 position. At this point clutch 24 is automatically disengaged to arrest the machine operation by the cooperation of the free end 33| of lever 33, with a cam l5 carried by and rotatable with shaft 3B. While the machine is in operation, that is when clutch 24 is engaged, the follower lug l 5 on the end 33| of arm 33 is urged to ride the circular surface ofthe cam by spring |55 attached to the lever. At the start of the machine operation, follower ||6 was received within the cam notch H8, from which the follower was withdrawn by pressure on the foot pedal 3| to engage the clutch. The follower I|6 then traveled the cam surface ||1 through the described portion of the machine cycle up to the Fig. 5 condition.

Operation of the machine is interruptedto permit the operator to correct any misalinement of the wire loops 40 and 4|. The machine then is restarted in operation by depression of the foot pedal 3|', whereupon arm |01 through lever lill actuates the head-carried mechanism 94 to clamp the loops 40 and 4I into interlocked engagement. With the lid thussecured to the box, cam 55 advances beyond its Fig. 5 position to release the front pressure plate 45 back to its starting position of Fig. 1. Immediately then, cam 8T engages the arm 85 to cause, through the chain connection with sprocket 19, arm 'I6 to swing to the left and eject the lidded box. During the box ejecting actuation of arm 75, the head assembly |5 will have returned to its top or starting position. The cycle of the machine thus having been completed, follower llt drops into the cam notch |20 to disengage the clutch 24.

Figs. 10 to l2 illustrate a variational mechanism for automatically interlocking the loops 4B and 4| when the box lid is brought down to closed position. Referring rst to Fig. 10, the mechanism there shown may be arranged on and at one end of the head 22, or in duplicate at both ends thereof. An arm |25 rotatable on or relative to the shaft 66 (carrying arms 65 as previously described), is positioned adjacent a second arm |25 carried by sleeve |2 and rotatable with shaft 55. A yielding, lost motion connection between arms |25 and |25, consisting typically of a headed bolt |28 extending through an opening in arm |26 and terminating in lug |29 on the side ofv arm |25, permits downward relative swinging of arm |26 beyond the position illustrated, against the resistance of coil spring |39 confined about the bolt between the arms.

The head 22 carries a lever |3| fulcrumed in the bearings |32 and carrying a terminal adjustment screw |33 engageable against the arm |25. Downward swinging of the lever from the position shown is resisted by coil spring 34. At itsl forward end the lever |3| carries a rotatable shaft |35 to the end of which is secured an arm |36, the upper end of which is engageable with an adjustable stop |31 carried by member |38 on the lever. At its lower end arm |36 carries the curved surface hammer or loop interlocking head |39. As will be understood by reference to Fig. 11, shaft |35 may carry a plurality of arms |36 and head members |39, corresponding to the number and spacing of the loops 4|] and 4| to be interlocked, although only one of the arms, or

those at the ends of the head, need be actuated by association` with a lever or levers |3|.

Projecting from head |39 is an angular arm |4| which carries a roller |42. The latter is movable downwardly along and beyond an inclined cam plate |43 carried by and extending downwardly and forwardly along the end edge of the head 22 so that the plate may serve the incidental function of centering the lid 39 relative to the box 38. Plate |43 projects forwardly of the head and box, as shown in Figs. 1|) and l2, to permit the required advancement of roller |42, as and for the purposes now to be explained. -As will be understood from the foregoing when 'the head 22 is in its up position, the arm as- I sembly |25., |1216 will have assumed an upright position on shaft 6E corresponding to arms` 65, since both rotate with the shaft, and the arm assembly will so remain during the initial down and upstrokes of the head occurring as explained, before the successive portion of the cycle utilized to press the lid on the box. As the head starts down on itsv second stroke arms and l2@ are swung down (with arms 65) so that when the head reaches the Fig. 10 position, arm |25 Will` have engaged the stationary pressure plate 43. As will be recalled, the head travel is arrested at this position to permit manual alinement of the loops` and 4|.

Then, as the final downward head motion is started, arm |26 is permitted to swing down relative to arm |25, while the latter is engaged by and serves as an abutment for lever ISI. Down movement of the head from the Fig. 10 position carries lever |3| to rock on its fulcrum bearing |32, the down swing of the forward end of the lever causing roller l? to advance along the cam |43 while the head |39 is consequently moved forwardly on the lid surface, actually depressing the lid, as indicated by the dotted line L in Fig. 12, i 1

below the horizontal plane of the top end surfaces .of the box. As the roller and heads i739 continue forwardly, the latter engage and start to deform the loops l0 and 4| in an interlocking direction as indicated by the Fig. 12 position. Finally, as the press head approaches the limit of its down travel and the hammer heads |39 are advanced just sufciently to move down along the side of the box, roller I 42 leaves the cam M3 and the hammer heads are thrust down at the outside of the box to deform and interlock the loops. Then as the press head starts its up travel and the hammer heads |39 clear the box edge, they are returned to the Fig. l() position by coil spring |45 connected to the arms |36 and I3 I.

We claim:

l. A machine for lidding a crown-packed wirebound flexible wall box having a cover carrying end portions adapted to close down at the outsides of the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on the box and including a box support, a cover pressing head overlying the support, and means producing relative vertical movement of the support and head to and from cover applying position, ejecting means operating in timed relation with said mechanism for ejecting a lidded box from said support, a member movable into the box ejection path to a position engaging a vertical end wall of the box at its transverse central portion to resist bulging thereof during pressural application of the cover to the box, and actuating means operating in timed relation with said mechanism to move said member to said position in advance of relative movement of the head and support to the limit of the cover-ap-l plying travel and before application by the head to the box contents of pressure that would otherwise bulge the box end beyond said end portion of the cover, said actuating means thereafter operating to remove said member from said path in advance of the box ejection by said ejecting means.

' 2. A machine for lidding a crown-packed wirebound ilexible wall box having a cover carrying end portion adapted to close down at the outsides ci the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on the box and including a box support, a cover pressing head overlying the support, and means producing relative vertical movement o1 the support and head to and from' cover applying position, ejecting means engageable against a first vertical wall of the box and operating in timed relation with said mechanism for ejecting a l-idded box from said support, a member movable into the box ejection path to a position engaging an opposite vertical end wall of the box at its transverse central portion to resist bulging thereof during pressural application of the cover to the box, and actuating means operating in timed relation with said mechanism to move said member to said position in advance of relative movement of the head and support to the limit of the cover-applying travel and before application by the head to the box contents of pressure that would otherwise bulge the box end beyond said end portions of the cover, said actuating means thereafter operating to remove Asaid member from said path in advance of the box ejection by said ejecting means.

3. A machine for lidding a crown-packed wirebound flexible wall box having cover carrying end portions adapted to close down at the outsides of the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on the box and including a box support, a cover pressing head overlying the support, and means producing relative vertical movement of the support and head to and from cover applying position, ejecting means operating in timed relation with said mechanism for ejecting a lidded box from said support, a member mounted below and independently of said head and movable into the box ejection path to a position engaging a vertical end wall of the box at its transverse central portion to resist bulging thereof during pressural application of the cover to the box, and actuating means operating in timed. relation with said mechanism to move said member to said position in advance of relative movement of the head and support to the limit of the cover-applying travel and before application by the head to the box contents of pressure that would otherwise bulge the box end beyond said end portion of the cover, said actuating means thereafter operating to remove said member from said path in advance of the box ejection by said ejecting means.

4. A machine for lidding a crown-packed wirebound flexible wall box having cover carrying end portions adapted to close down at the outsides of the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on the box and including a box support, a cover pressing head overlying the support, and means producing relative vertical movement of the support and head to and from cover applying position, ejecting means operating in timed relation with said mechanism for eiectinga lidded box from said support, a member movable from below the plane of the bottom of the box upwardly into the box ejection path to a position engaging a vertical end wall of the box at its transverse central portion to resist bulging thereof during pressural application of the cover to the box, and actuating means operating in timed relation with said mechanism to move said member to said position in advance of relative movement of the head and support to the limit of the coverapplying travel and before application by the head to the box contents of pressure that would otherwise bulge the box end beyond said end portions of the cover, said actuating means thereafter operating to move said member downwardly out of said path in advance of the box ejection by said ejecting means.

5. A machine for lidding a crown-packed wire- 'l 9 bound ilexible wall boxhaving cover carrying end portions adapted to close down at the outsides of the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a? cover on the box and including a box support, a cover pressing head overlying the support, and means producing relative vertical movement of the support and head to and from cover applying position, ejecting means operating in timed relation with said mechanism for ejecting a lidded box from said support, a pair of members one of which is movable into the box ejection path and both movable to positions engaging the vertical end walls of the box at their transverse central portions to resist bulging thereof during pressural application of the cover to the box, and actuating means operating in timed relation with said mechanism to move said members to said positions in advance of relative movement of the head and support to the limit of the cover-applying ating to remove said member from said path in advance of the box ejection by said ejecting means.

6, A machine for lidding a crown-packed wirebound ilexible wall box having 4cover carrying end portions adapted to close down at the outsides of the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on the box and including a box support, a cover pressing head overlying the support, and means producing relative rvertical movement of the support and head to and from cover applying position, ejecting means operating in timed relation with said mechanism for ejecting a lidded box from said support, a pair of members mounted for vertical swinging movement at the outside of the ends of the box, one of said members being movable into the box ejection path and both being movable to positions engaging the vertical end walls of the box at their transverse central portions to resist bulging thereof during pressural application of the cover to the box, and actuating means operating in timed relation with said mechanism to move said members to said positions in advance kof relative movement of the head and support to the limit of the cover-applying travel and before application by the head to the box contents of pressure that would otherwise bulge the box ends beyond said end portions of the cover, said actuating means thereafter operating to remove said member from said path in advance of the box ejection by said ejecting means. f

7. A machine for lidding a wire-bound box having a hinged cover displaceable longitudinally of Y the hinge and body of the box to bring the ends of the cover into and out of alinement with the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on a box body and including a head and beneath the head a support for a box having said hinged cover and interlockable Wire loops on the outer edge of the cover and corresponding box edge, said mechanism also including power means for moving said head and support relatively vertically, a movable device operable to interlock said loops when the cover is pressed on the box, means for alining said cover and the box body longitudinally of the hinge in advance of the interlocking of said loops, and an actuating mechanism operating in timed relation with the operation of said power means for actuating said device to interlock said loops.

8. A machine for lidding a Wire-bound box l0 having a hinged cover displaceable longitudinally of the hinge and body of the box to bring the ends of the cover into and out of alinement with the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on a box body and including a head and beneath the head a support for a box having said hinged cover and interlockable wire loops on the outer edge of the cover and corresponding box edge, said mechanism also including power means for moving said head and support relatively vertically, means supporting said cover at its hinge against movement outwardly from the box, a movable device operable to interlock said loops when the cover is pressed on the box, means for alining said cover and the box body longitudinally of the hinge in advance of the interlocking of 'said lcops,and an actuating mechanism operating in timed relation with the operation of said power means for actuating said device to4 interlock said loops. p 9. A machine for lidding a wire-bound box having a hinged cover displaceable longitudinally of the hinge and body of the box to bring the ends of the cover into and out of alinement withthe box ends, comprisingmechanism for pressing-.a` cover on a box body and including a head and beneath the head a support for a box having said hinged cover and interlockable wireV loops on, the outer edge of the cover and corresponding box edge, said mechanism also including power means for moving said head vertically, a movabledevice carried by and vertically movable with the head and operable to interlock said loops whenv the cover is pressed on the box, means for alining said cover and the box body longitudinally of the hinge in advance of the interlocking of said loops, and an actuating mechanism operating in timed relation with the operation of said power means for actuating said device to interlock said loops.

10. A machine for lidding a wire-bound box having a hinged cover displaceable longitudinally of the hinge and body of the box to bring the ends of the cover into and out of alinement with the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a' cover on a box body and including a head and beneath the head a support for a box having said l hinged cover and interlockable wire loops on the outer edge of the cover and corresponding box edge, said mechanism also including power means for moving said head vertically, a movable device carried by and vertically movable with the head, said device including an element mounted on the head for downward swinging movement to engage and interlock said loops when the cover is pressed on the box, means for alining said cover and the box body longitudinally of the hinge in advance of the interlocking of said loops, and an actuating mechanism operating in timed relation with the operation of said power means for actuating said device to interlock said loops.

11. A machine for lidding a wire-bound box having a hinged cover displaceable longitudinally of the hinge and body of the box to bring the ends of the cover into and out of alinement with the box ends, comprising mechanism for pressing a cover on a box body and including a head and beneath the head a support for a box having said hinged cover and interlockable wire loops on the outer edge of the cover and corresponding box edge, said mechanism also including power means for moving said head and support relatively vertically, a movable device comprising a member mounted for swinging movement downwardly at the outside of the box, said member being operable to interlock said loops when the cover is vpressed; on the box, means for alining said cover andthe box body longitudinally of lcheY hinge in advance of the interlocking. of. said loops, and an actuating mechanism operating in timed relation with the operation ofsaid power means for actu.- ating said member to interlock said loops.

12, A machine for lidding a box having a lid hinged at one edge to one side of the .box and havingl an opposite edge carrying a rst flexible projection adapted to be connected with an alined second ii'exible projection carried by a side of the boxopposite its firstv mentioned side, said machine comprising. a press structure including a frame, a support carried by the frame for reception of the box with its cover in anopen position,v anda cover engaging head member spaced from the support, power means for producin-g arelative movement together of. said support. and head member to press and apply said cover'on the box, av locking. element movably carried, by .said structure and engageable with said projections. tointerlock them, and mechanism for actuating said. element to. interlock the projections, said mechanism including means operating automatically upon relative` movement together of said supportv and head. member to cover applying position'. to actu,- ate said element to interlock. the projections.v

13'.. A. machine for lidding a box. having a lid hinged at one edge to one side of. the. box and having an opposite edge carrying a -rst flexible projection adapted to be connected with an alined second flexible progectioncarried. by aside of the box opposite its rst mentionedsde,.said machine comprising a press structure including. a frame, ay support carried by the frame for .reception of the. box. with its cover in an open position, and a cover engaging head member spaced from the support, power means for producing relative movement together of said support and head member to press and apply said cover on the box, a locking element carried by said structure above the support. and box and mounted for downward swinging. movement to engage and interlockingly deflect said projections downwardly at the outside of the box, and mechanism for actuating said element to so deflect and interlock the projections, said mechanism including means operatingv automatically upon relative movement together of said support` and head member to cover applying position to actuate said element to interlock thev projections.

LELAND H. PLATT.

LELAND H. PLATT, J-R.

JOHN DEEPLATT.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file' of. this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 1,829,230 Meer Oct. 27, 1931 1,976,033 Platt Oct. 9, 1934:` 2,063,124 Rosenmund Dec. 8, 1936 2,114,729 Twomley Apr. 19, 1938 .2,121,821 Paxton June 28, 1938 

